This camping foray takes place in the Sierras at the PiPi Valley campground off Highway 88, between Jackson and Kirkwood. It traditionally takes place on the first weekend of May, or as soon as the snow has melted. For this reason the date is somewhat flexible, so stay tuned for updates.

Edibles found usually include either morels, Spring King boletes, or both, and often coccoras. Fresh morels, buttered and roasted over a campfire, just might be the best thing you will eat in this life. The campground? A river runs through it. If this isn’t enough, we enjoy the harbingers of spring and morels: the beautiful white flowers of the Western Dogwood, Cornus nuttallii, and the stunning red spikes of the saprophytic snowplant, Sarcodes sanguinea. Look but don’t pick—snowplants are protected. Learn more about them at http://www.calflora.net/bloomingplants/snowplant.html

What to Expect:: This is a drive-in camp which includes the usual pit toilets, tables, firepits, and barbecues. Drinking water is also available, but no showers. Campers pay for their own campsites, and doubling up is encouraged as it makes the whole event much more social. There are no sites reserved for us, but we try to concentrate on the back loop. We share the campground with other campers and potential mushroom hunters and, sadly, have no special privileges. It is important that we do not trespass onto others’ camping spots even if a tempting mushroom is growing there.

Don’t feel like camping? There are other lodging options in the area. Drop a note to your comfort-loving (some might say  wimpy) editor for some ideas at propaganda(at)fungusfed.org.

Mushroom Hunting: Groups go out Saturday morning around 9 AM. Some people come back for lunch, some stay out all day. Some go fishing in the Middle Fork of the Cosumnes River adjacent to the camp. On Sunday some people stay around to hunt, others hunt on the way home.

What to Bring: Saturday night is the extremely fine Pipi Potluck, in which we test the sheer strength of several Parks Service picnic tables with our food. This is campground haute cuisine! Bring an entrée or a side dish to share and your beverage of choice. Desserts are always welcome. This starts around 7 PM at a campsite to be announced. Weather is varied so bring layers. It can get quite cold in the valley  at night. Bring your camping gear as well as mushroom collecting gear.

Directions: Make your way to Jackson in the Gold Rush Area. Then continue on Hwy. 88 for 30 miles until a sign points you left to Pipi Valley. Go 1 mile, then bear right at the fork and go downhill 8 miles to the campground.

Reservations: This foray does not require reservations. You will pay individually for your campsite upon arrival. The cost is $19.50/night for up to two cars; third car costs $5 extra. Golden Age Card holders (62+) are half price.

Questions?
SEND EMAIL to Bill White, Minister of Long Distance Forays.